Portable toothbrush

ABSTRACT

An article of manufacture consisting of a toothbrush hinged in a plastic storage container, the latter serving also as a part of the handle. Brush and paste compartments are provided in the container and a sealing lid serves in the open position as a hanger for drying purposes.

United States Patent [1 1 Sanders PORTABLE TOOTHBRUSH [76] Inventor:Fred E. Sanders, 503 E. 108th St., Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: Oct. 21,1971 [21] Appl. No.: 191,506

[52] US. Cl 132/84 B [51] Int. Cl .Q A45d 44/18 [58] Field of Search132/84 R, 84 B, 84 D;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1941 Smith et a1. 132/84 B7/1916 Melin 132/84 R X 2,168,689 8/1939 Smith et a1. 132/84 B 1,230,2796/1917 Coffey 15/185 2,563,455 8/1951 Brown 206/1.8 X 1,304,769 5/1919l-lendrickson 132/84 B Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene AssistantExaminer-J. N. Eskovitz Attorney-Joseph B. Balazs et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT An article of manufacture consisting of a toothbrushhinged in a plastic storage container, the latter serving also as a partof the handle. Brush and paste compartments are provided in thecontainer and a sealing lid serves in the open position as a hanger fordrying purposes.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PORTABLE 'roo'runnusa BACKGROUND or THEINVENTION This invention relates to hygienic apparatus and moreparticularly to a new form of toothbrush formed in part by a containerwhich serves for storage of the brush and affords portability for same.

Little consideration has been given in the past to the storage andconvenience aspects of toothbrushes and the like other than for theinitial packaging of same in a container which can be retained and usedfor storage purposes, however usually being discarded when first openedand not conveniently available thereafter. It would be desirable to havea toothbrush which is designed specifically for portable uses which isof the size suitable for carrying in the pocket or purse and in whichthe container is an integral part thereof, affording easy manipulationof the brush and a ready place for storage of same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus of this invention is especiallysuited for travel, overnight trips and the like where it is desired tocarry a toothbrush on ones person or in a suitcase. It is alsoadvantageous in the guest situation where it is desired that onestoothbrush is clearly identifiable and not subject to confusion orintermixing with those of the host or his family. Further the apparatusof this invention provides a product which may be conveniently carriedon ones person much in the manner of a hair comb and is available foruse at anytime, the usual usage of toothbrushes being limited to theearly morning and late evening hours.

It is one object of this invention to provide a new form of toothbrushwhich is designed for carrying, having its own container as an integralpart thereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new form oftoothbrush which is especially suited for portable applications andwhich is clearly distinguishable from conventional forms oftoothbrushes.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improvedtoothbrush which is foldable and in the folded state is smaller in atleast one dimension than the conventional toothbrush.

It is a yet further object of this invention to provide improvedtoothbrush apparatus which is condusive to maintenance of a sanitarybrush both in sotrage and 7 portable conditions of same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of the invention taken along thelines 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of the apparatus of the invention in the foldedcondition taken along the lines 44 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Theimproved toothbrush apparatus 10 of this invention comprises atoothbrush portion indicated generally at 11 and a container indicatedgenerally at 12. The toothbrush I1 is of generally conventionalconfiguration comprising an elongated handle 14 preferably made of arigid plastic having a number of bristles l5 imbedded in one end thereofforming the brush. The

handle 14 is substantially shorter in length than the FIG. 1 is across-sectional view of the apparatus of the invention shown in thefolded and carrying position; 1

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the invention shownin the unfolded operational condition;

conventional toothbrush handle, preferably being approximatelytwo-thirds the length of a conventional handle but it will be clear thatsuch dimension may be scaled upwardly or downwardly depending upon theintended usage. Further, overall dimensions may be scaled similarly, forexample, for adult and childrens sizes. I

The container 12 consists of a rigid plastic housing 16 of generallyrectangular configuration having a pair of side 'walls 18 spaced toaccommodate the greatest width dimension of the toothbrush 11 and a pairof end walls 19 spaced sufficiently to receive the full handle length ofthe toothbrush. The housing 16 further comprises a bottom wall 20 andpreferably the side walls 18, end walls 19 and bottom wall 20 are formedfrom a single piece of plastic by injection molding techniques or thelike. Included in the container 12 is an inner wall 21 spanning the sidewalls 18 of the housing 16 and dividing the latter into compartments forreceipt of the bristles 15 of the toothbrush 11 in one compartment 22and for receipt of a tube of toothpaste 24 in the second compartment 25.As will be described in greater detail hereafter such inner wall 21forms a support member for the toothbrush I 1 when in the foldedcondition and serves to retain same in a predetermined position therein.

The container 12 further comprises a lid 26 for en-. closing the housing16 consisting of a substantially flat rectangular plate 28 of semi-rigidplastic material formed into a shape as seen most clearly in FIG. 2,including angularly extending upturned legs 29, 30 at either endthereof. One leg 29 provides a means for pivotal attachment to thehousing 16 having a notch 31 therein adapted to receive a boss 32extending from the end wall of the housing, being secured by a pin 33passing through the leg 29 and the boss 32, with freedom for pivotalmovement being allowed by recesses 34 formed in the end wall 19 of thehousing adjacent the boss 32. The other leg 30 of the lid 26 includes aninwardly angled portion 35 at its upper end as viewed in FIG. 2 andincludes an aperture 36 therein, which leg is adapted to conform as aflap with the end wall 19 of the housing l6 which also includes anangled portion 38. A stud 39 is integrally formed on such angled portion38 of the housing and cooperates with the aperture 36 in the leg 30 ofthe lid to provide a means for securing the lid 26 to the housing 16,sufficient resiliency being provided in the material forming the lid 26so that the aperture 36 may be deformed and easily snapped in place overthe stud 39. A gasket 40 consisting of a thin layer of rubber or thelike is bonded to the interior surface of the lid 26 and in the closedcondition engages the edges of the walls of the housing 16 as well asthe end walls 19 to form a tightly sealed enclosure.

The handle 14 of the toothbrush 11 includes a bifurcation 41 at one endwhich is adapted to receive an upstanding boss 42 supported on andspaced inwardly of the end wall 19 of the housing, the handle 14being'pivotally secured in place by a pin 44. The end wall 19 of thehousing includes a notch 45 therein conforming to the width of thehandle 14 and ofa depth to support the handle in a positionsubstantially parallel with the lower wall 20 of the container 12. Thehandle 14 is prevented from substantial sideways movement by the sidesof the notch 45 and from movement downwardly by the bottom of the notch45 and the pivot pin 44. It may be seen then that the container 12 andthe toothbrush 11 may be grasped by the person using same when thetoothbrush is in such operative position most conveniently by placingthe thumb against the top side of the handle 14, forcing same downwardlyinto the notch 45 while grasping the container 12 with the palm andfingers. In this manner the toothbrush 11 may be manipulated in theconventional manner for tooth cleaning purposes and the combined lengthof the handle 14 and the housing 16 is more than sufficient to becomparable to the length of a conventional toothbrush and afford accessto any place within the mouth. In this operative position of thetoothbrush the lid 26 is left free to hang from the end wall 19 of thehousing 16 and extending substantially along the same line as thetoothbrush l4 and housing l6, provides little or no hindrance tooperation of same.

In the storage position of the toothbrush apparatus as depicted in FIG.1 the handle 14 is pivoted on the pin 44 out of the notch 45 and intothe housing 16, being supported on the inner wall 21 and on one end wall19 on a ledge 46 formed therein. The inner wall 21 and ledge 46 in theend wall 19 are of such dimensions as to support the toothbrush 11 sothat the bristles are spaced from the bottom wall of the housing 16,this configuration preventing deformation of the bristles 15 and/orcontamination of same from water deposits and the like on the bottomwall 20 of the housing.

In the storage position the leg 30 of the lid 26 closely overlies theend wall 19 of the housing 16 and the aperture 36 is secured over thestud 39 to retain the lid in place. It will be noted that the gasket 40on the leg 30 of the lid 26 effectively seals the notch 45 in the endwall 19 of the housing and that the opposite leg 29 of the lid issimilarly provided with gasket material thereby sealing the container 12to allow carrying of same without the possibility of moisture and thelike ex uding from the container. The toothbrush 10 in thisconfiguration is substantially smaller in length than a conventionaltoothbrush and may be readily carried from place to place, the provisionof a tube of toothpaste 24 in the compartment 25 of the housing 16allowing utilization in any location.

Referring again to the operative configuration of the apparatus 10 asdepicted in FIG. 2 with the toothbrush 11, housing 16 and lid 26 in asubstantially aligned position, a notch 48 in the handle 14 of thetoothbrush being provided for facilitating removal of same from thecontainer, it will be clear that all elements of the apparatus 10 areexposed and that this configuration is suitable for drying purposes.Most conveniently the apparatus 10 may be hung from a shelf, hook or thelike, by placing the leg 30 of the lid 26 over an edge and disposing theapparatus 10 in a vertical position. It will be clear also that theaperture 36 in the leg 30 may be placed over a hook if desired and thatthe apparatus 10 will assume substantially the same verticaldisposition. It will be readily apparent then that the apparatus 10 maybe placed in a drying position in the bathroom area sufficiently removedfrom the area where other members of the household store their cleansingitems to encourage a sanitary condition and that the apparatus 10 willbe sufficiently distinguishable to avoid confusion.

Although a plastic container 12 is indicated as preferable it willbeapparent that other materials would be suitable as well and thatvariations in the configuration of the apparatus are possible. Forexample instead of the stud 39 and aperture 36 closure shown, suchcomponents may be reversed in location or ledge-type friction closureswell known in the plastic art may be employed. Additionally, if desired,the side walls 18 can be apertured to provide vents for drying thetoothbrus while being carried in the closed condition.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Portable toothbrush apparatus comprising a toothbrush, a housing forstoring said toothbrush for carrying purposes, said housing having apair of spaced apart side walls and a pair of end walls defining acavity for receipt of said toothbrush therein, said toothbrushcomprising a handle having brush bristles attached to one end, meanspivotally mounting the other end of said handle within said housingadjacent one end wall thereof for pivotal movement of said toothbrushbetween a stored position within said housing and an operative positionwith said handle and brush bristles extending outwardly beyond said oneend wall of said housing, said one end wall of said housing having anotch in the upper edge thereof conforming to the width of said handleand of a depth to support said handle in the desired operative position,said housing being adapted to be grasped for manipulation of saidtoothbrush when in the operative position, and a lid for enclosing saidhousing when said toothbrush is in the stored position within saidhousing, said lid comprising a substantially flat rectangular platehaving angularly extending legs at each end thereof, one of said legsbeing pivotally attached to the exterior surface of the other end wallof said housing below the upper edge thereof for pivotal movement ofsaid lid between an open position extending outwardly from said otherend wall and a closed position with said legs overlying both end wallsof said housing, and a gasket bonded to the inner surface of said lidfor providing sealed engagement with the upper edges of the walls ofsaid housing and the exterior surfaces of said end walls of said housingwhen in the closed position to form a tightly sealed enclosure, theexterior surface of said one end wall of said housing including anangled portion, and said other leg on said lid being angled inwardly toconform with said one end wall of said housing when in the closedposition, said lid being formed of a semi-rigid material adapted to beflexed to allow said other leg to fit over said one end wall of saidhousing, a stud on said angled portion of said one end wall, and anaperture in said other leg of said lid, said other leg being adapted tobe flexed to.allow said aperture to receive said stud within saidhousing, said support means being adapted to prevent the bristles ofsaid toothbrush from engaging said housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said support means comprises amember dividing said housing into two compartments, the bristles of saidtoothbrush being adapted for disposition in one compartment, and thesecond compartment being adapted for storage of a tube of toothpastetherein.

I =8 IR k

1. Portable toothbrush apparatus comprising a toothbrush, a housing forstoring said toothbrush for carrying purposes, said housing having apair of spaced apart side walls and a pair of end walls defining acavity for receipt of said toothbrush therein, said toothbrushcomprising a handle having brush bristles attached to one end, meanspivotally mounting the other end of said handle within said housingadjacent one end wall thereof for pivotal movement of said toothbrushbetween a stored position within said housing and an operative positionwith said handle and brush bristles extending outwardly beyond said oneend wall of said housing, said one end wall of said housing having anotch in the upper edge thereof conforming to the width of said handleand of a depth to support said handle in the desired operative position,said housing being adapted to be grasped for manipulation of saidtoothbrush when in the operative position, and a lid for enclosing saidhousing when said toothbrush is in the stored position within saidhousing, said lid comprising a substantially flat rectangular platehaving angularly extending legs at each end thereof, one of said legsbeing pivotally attached to the exterior surface of the other end wallof said housing below the upper edge thereof for pivotal movement ofsaid lid between an open position extending outwardly from said otherend wall and a closed position with said legs overlying both end wallsof said housing, and a gasket bonded to the inner surface of said lidfor providing sealed engagement with the upper edges of the walls ofsaid housing and the exterior surfaces of said end walls of said housingwhen in the closed position to form a tightly sealed enclosure, theexterior surface of said one end wall of said housing including anangled portion, and said other leg on said lid being angled inwardly toconform with said one end wall of said housing when in the closedposition, said lid being formed of a semi-rigid material adapted to beflexed to allow said other leg to fit over said one end wall of saidhousing, a stud on said angled portion of said one end wall, and anaperture in said other leg of said lid, said other leg being adapted tobe flexed to allow said aperture to receive said stud for releasablysecuring said lid to said housing to retain said toothbrush in thestored position therein.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprisinga notch in the side of said handle opposite said brush bristles tofacilitate pivoting of said toothbrush from the stored position withinsaid housing to the operative position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising support means in said housing for engagement by saidtoothbrush when the latter is in the stored position within saidhousing, said support means being adapted to prevent the bristles ofsaid toothbrush from engaging said housing.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3wherein said support means comprises a member dividing said housing intotwo compartments, the bristles of said toothbrush being adapted fordisposition in one compartment, and the second compartment being adaptedfor storage of a tube of toothpaste therein.